In response to The Role of Hospital Based Nurse Scientists
Dear Editor,
We are writing in response to the article “The Role of Hospital-Based Nurse Scientists” by Caroline Stephenson. We agree with the author that nurse scientists are integral in the hospital setting for many of the reasons listed. Our concern, however, is with the statement, “Nurse scientists with PhD or doctor of nursing practice (DN) degrees empower. This statement hits at the heart of a very stubborn issue in our profession: the two different doctoral degrees and what they prepare nurses to do. Nurses prepared with the DNP degree are not educated or trained to conduct nursing science/research; instead, they are trained to be experts in evidence-based practice and quality improvement (EBPQI). Nurses prepared with the PhD are nurse scientists qualified to perform discovery science or research that generates new knowledge. They are not experts in evidence-based practice change quality improvement. The article uses the terms evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research interchangeably, as well as the two nursing doctoral degrees, the PhD and DNP.
The continued conflation of these two degrees in the practice setting without recognizing the difference is not helpful to the public, the profession, administration, or other health care professionals. Both degrees and their respective areas of expertise are needed to meet the quintuple aim of healthcare (Nundy et al., 2022). Our patients need nurse scientists to conduct research that provides new knowledge that our DNP-prepared expert EBPQI leaders can put into practice with adaptability and sustainability. As nursing leaders, we need to ensure that our terminology is consistent and accurate to help reduce confusion.
– Julee Waldrop DNP, FNP-C, PNP-C, EBP-C, CNE, NC-BC, FAANP, FAAN & Staci Reynolds PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, CPHQ, FAAN
Durham, NC
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Thank you for your thoughtful response to the article on the role of nurse scientists in hospital settings. The distinction between the PhD and DNP degrees is indeed an important topic that warrants careful consideration and clarity in our discussions.
The differentiation between the two doctoral paths—PhD, which focuses on research and generating new knowledge, and DNP, which emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality improvement—is essential for accurately representing the unique contributions of each.
Moving forward, we should advocate for precise language that respects the unique expertise each degree brings to the healthcare landscape. By doing so, we can foster a better understanding of how these roles complement each other and how we can more effectively promote collaboration which can ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes and a more effective healthcare system.
Thank you for highlighting this important issue, and I look forward to further discussions on how we can better support and define the contributions of nurse scientists and DNP leaders in our profession.